Things You Should Know Before Watching 'Extreme Couponing'

It seems everyone has a coupon binder these days. I've seen it everywhere I've shopped recently. The show "Extreme Couponing" has renewed interest in couponing like never before. Unfortunately, it's not that simple, and a lot of people are going to be disappointed.

First, the show is showing people get more products that they will ever need. Some donate them, and that's great. I believe in donating and keep extra stockpile just for that. However, if your basement is FULL of stockpile, you might be shopping too much. A general rule of thumb for most people is to stockpile enough for three months. The reason behind that is that products generally go on sale in 12-week rotations, so you need enough to get you through until the next sale. If you want to stockpile extra, go for it ... just don't go nuts!! If you don't need it, know someone who needs it or aren't going to donate it, then it's just sitting there, going to waste.

I also don't think the show makes people understand that it takes time to build a stockpile. You're not going to go on one shopping trip and come home with everything you need for months on end. It doesn't work that way. I've been doing this for years and I have never left the store with everything I needed. Stockpiles are great, but don't be frustrated if you don't get a big one right away. In fact, to build a proper stockpile, you may actually spend MORE at first. It's just the nature of the beast. People want to rush out and start this, and a lot go overboard right away. Before you know it, you have a pantry full of pasta and ketchup and not much else. Pace yourself!!!

These people on TV also use multiple coupons that they have access to. If you don't have access to multiple inserts, you aren't going to do as well and you aren't going to do it as quickly. They also shop at places that double and triple, so if your grocery doesn't do that, then that will affect the outcome. One person on the show was even seen using coupons on products she did not buy. She knew how to decode the coupon and know other things that it could be used on. (This is fraud, by the way.) You have to be careful and read the coupon you are using.

Couponing is a way of life. You have to give it all if you want to reap the most from it. I'm not saying you can't be a occasional coupon user ... sure you can! But to have that kind of success, you have to really be committed to it. You have to be willing to read your sales ads, cut lots of coupons, organize, match up your coupons to sales and travel to more than one store. It does take time. It does get frustrating sometimes. It does become monotonous. Be prepared.

While it's not unusual to save 50 percent, 60 percent and sometimes 75 percent or more, it's rare to get 90 percent or above savings on a regular shopping trip. Savings like that usually come from buying JUST sale and coupon items, and not trips where you buy meat, milk or things you are out of that you just have to have. Of course, every now and then you may hit it on a regular shopping trip. Rejoice, because it's truly an accomplishment.

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